Carrying forward his father’s legacy, Ashok Paliwal revolutionized Udaipur’s beauty and wellness scene. He didn’t just build a salon—he built a movement, empowering thousands. As President of India’s largest beauty federation, he continues to redefine beauty as a force for growth, dignity, and change.

Ashok Paliwal is the Director of Prabhat Spa Salon N Institute in Udaipur. The salon has been proudly serving the city since 1959, making it one of the oldest and most trusted names in the beauty and wellness industry in the region.

The name "Prabhat," which means "morning" or "a new dawn," was thoughtfully chosen by Paliwal's father, Comrade Bhawarlal Barber. His vision behind the name was deeply meaningful—he wanted every morning in Udaipur to begin beautifully for its people, filled with light, freshness, and positivity. The legacy of that vision lives on today, as Prabhat salon continues to brighten lives with its expert services and heartfelt care.

In 2005, Ashok Paliwal expanded his vision by opening a new salon in Panchwati, Udaipur, and simultaneously launched Rajasthan’s first beauty and wellness institute—Prabhat Spa Salon N Institute. At that time, spa services were being introduced in India for the first time, and Ashok Paliwal was among the pioneers who brought this modern concept to the region.

Spa treatments offered at the institute are focused on skin and hair care, utilizing elements like water, steam, and oxygen for therapeutic and rejuvenating effects. Alongside the salon, the institute was established with a mission to provide structured, high-quality education in beauty and wellness.

Director of Prabhat Salon Ashok Paliwal shares that their curriculum aligns with national and international standards, aiming to train not only the youth of Udaipur but also aspiring professionals from across Rajasthan. Their guiding philosophy is reflected in their powerful slogan: "Freedom for Beauty Education."

He explains that this "freedom" means more than just learning—it represents the ability to work independently, set your own timing, customize your services, and decide your pricing. It’s about empowering individuals to build careers on their own terms, with confidence, creativity, and control.

Talking about his inspiration in the beauty and wellness industry, Ashok Paliwal shares that joining this field brought him immense joy, especially because it was already a part of his family legacy. With his father, wife, and brother all working in this domain, Paliwal naturally developed an interest in the field and began learning the craft at their own salon.

While pursuing his formal education, Hair Stylist Ashok Paliwal was also active in politics and social work, which gave him a broader purpose—to serve the community. Alongside, he started honing his skills in hairdressing. He firmly believes that mastery is essential in any profession, and during the time he began his career, the importance of education was rapidly growing. This made him realize the need for structured, high-level training in his chosen field.

Motivated by this insight, he decided to pursue professional education at both national and international levels. He began with a foundational course at the Jawed Habib Academy in Delhi, which opened the doors to global opportunities. Fueled by passion, Ashok Paliwal went on to train at some of the world’s most renowned academies, including Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, and institutions in Singapore, London, and Paris.

These international experiences shaped his expertise and deepened his commitment to the field. With this global exposure and deep-rooted family inspiration, Paliwal returned to elevate the beauty and wellness industry in Udaipur—bringing global standards to local talent.

Reflecting on his early years, Salon Industry Leader Ashok Paliwal shares that he was born in Udaipur, but for his initial upbringing, his father sent him to stay with a family friend. During that time, his mother was working in the nursing department in Delwara, and it was there that he completed his primary education.

Later, Ashok returned to Udaipur, where he pursued his schooling—first at Ambamata School, followed by Guru Gobind Singh School. His academic career continued through Shramjeevi College, Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute, and Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU), where he completed his Master Degrees in Sociology and Political Science.

After completing his post-graduation in two subjects, Paliwal felt a growing passion for the beauty and wellness field—deeply rooted in his family’s legacy. This inspired him to formally pursue professional training in hairdressing, marking the beginning of his path in the world of beauty education and salon entrepreneurship.

Talking about his role models, Ashok Paliwal shares that his greatest inspiration in this field has always been his father, who laid the foundation for his career. Back in 1959, his father opened a salon at Chetak Circle in Udaipur, which, at that time, was considered one of the most luxurious and high-quality salons in India.

The salon was ahead of its time, equipped with modern amenities, elegant furniture, and developed with a strong focus on hygiene, customer care, and education. Witnessing the salon’s success and his father’s dedication deeply influenced Ashok from a young age, shaping his professional aspirations.

Apart from his father, Hair and Beauty Federation President Ashok also draws inspiration from celebrity hair stylist Jawed Habib, who revolutionized the salon industry in India by opening a chain of salons across the country. On the international front, academies like Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy left a lasting impact on him. These institutions not only provided him with technical expertise but also helped him build a strong foundation in global hairstyling practices.

Over time, Ashok Paliwal realized another important truth—that clients themselves become teachers. He believes that every customer interaction offers a learning experience. Each client brings a new perspective, a unique set of preferences, and opportunities to grow.

He fondly states, “Our clients are our ideals. Every time we offer a personalized service, we also gain new insights. Especially the people of Udaipur—they are my true role models.”

Prabhat Salon Owner Ashok Paliwal shares that he has always been academically inclined. From a young age, he had a deep interest not just in school education but also in reading beyond the curriculum. Even today, he continues to pursue this passion—reading magazines, books, and literary works whenever he gets the opportunity.

Having studied Sociology and Political Science, Paliwal developed a strong interest in historical, philosophical, and literary texts. He finds particular inspiration in the ideologies of Lenin and Karl Marx, whose quotes and thoughts have left a lasting impact on his worldview. He is equally influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, especially one quote that deeply resonates with his field of work:

“If you love beauty, don’t just beautify your home or city—beautify the entire world, so the dirt from outside doesn’t find its way back into your home.”

This thought inspires him to look at beauty and wellness not just as a profession, but as a way to contribute to a cleaner, more harmonious world.

He also admires the revolutionary ideas of Bhagat Singh, particularly the quote:

“शांति के लिए क्रांति की आवश्यकता होती है।”

(“Revolution is necessary for peace.”)

Ashok Paliwal believes that true transformation in society comes through active effort, reform, and working for the betterment of the common people. Whether through education, beauty services, or social involvement, he strives to create meaningful impact in every sphere of life.

In terms of achievements, Ashok Paliwal proudly shares that his salon is the oldest running salon in Udaipur city. When it was first established, both he and his father held a clear vision—not just to grow their own business, but to uplift the entire salon industry in Udaipur.

They believed that progress comes from collective growth, and with that mindset, they began uniting salon professionals across the city. Ashok not only brought them together but also provided education and training, eventually taking many of them to national and international platforms. According to him, this movement of empowering fellow professionals and raising the standard of the industry is his greatest achievement.

He strongly advocates that education is essential in every field, and where there is education, technology naturally follows. He challenges the common misconception that salon work is a small or unskilled job. “Even today, some people think cutting hair or running a salon doesn’t require education. But this is not true—today, people across India are advancing in this field through education,” he says.

To bridge this gap, Hair and Beauty Federation President Ashok Paliwal started an academy in 2005 with the aim of providing structured education to all individuals in the salon and spa industry. He takes pride in seeing how Udaipur has grown over the years—with top-notch salons, quality services, and a united, well-educated beauty community. Many professionals from Udaipur have gone on to win national and international awards, which continues to inspire Paliwal in his mission of transforming the perception and professionalism of the beauty industry.

Hair & Beauty Artist Paliwal believes that today’s youth are far more capable and aware than previous generations, including his own. He says this with admiration, recognizing that the younger generation has access to better opportunities, greater exposure, and instant access to global knowledge—advantages that weren’t as readily available in his time.

He observes that with the rise of technology and digital platforms, learning has become more accessible and efficient. Education in India is rapidly advancing, and the youth have every tool at their fingertips to succeed.

His advice to the younger generation is heartfelt and grounded in experience:

“Focus deeply on education, walk the right path, and take steady steps forward. Not everyone is meant to move at lightning speed, and that’s okay. What matters most is patience and consistency.”

He also emphasizes the need to restore unity in society, family, and relationships. In a world where people are increasingly growing apart, Ashok Paliwal encourages the youth to strengthen bonds, foster togetherness, and contribute to building a more connected, compassionate, and progressive nation.

Lastly, Paliwal shares a powerful reflection on his transition from politics to social work. He explains that although he was once involved in politics, he eventually stepped away because he realized it wasn’t his true calling. Instead, he chose to dedicate himself fully to uplifting the beauty and wellness industry, believing that true impact could be made by nurturing and professionalizing the field he was already working in.

Guided by the vision of his father and a strong sense of purpose, Ashok Paliwal collaborated with several like-minded individuals in Udaipur to establish the Lake City Beauty Club and the Sen Kshaur Kalakar Mandal, both of which were created to recognize, empower, and celebrate the talent of beauty professionals in Udaipur.

His efforts didn’t stop at the city level. He helped form the Hair and Beauty Organization at the state level, and later the All India Beauty and Hair Association, which became a national platform. Today, he proudly serves as the President of the Hair and Beauty Federation, a body that now brings together over 60 associations from across India.

His mission? To unite the entire beauty industry of India on one platform, offering support, structure, and direction to professionals everywhere. He and his team are working hard to address the real issues faced by beauticians and hairdressers, especially those in Udaipur, so they can grow together as a strong and respected community.

Hair & Beauty Artist Ashok Paliwal also points out a critical gap in the industry—the lack of standardized Indian syllabi for beauty education. He notes that most training is still influenced by foreign models. However, he’s optimistic:

“Our youth are advancing rapidly. One day, the time will come when foreigners will come to India to learn from us.”

He concludes with pride that the organizations and federations he helped build have brought together countless professionals, fought through challenges, and earned international recognition. He believes this momentum will drive India’s youth forward and help take the nation to new heights in the global beauty and wellness landscape.